Cable threading apparatus



June 22, 1965 J. F. OLESON ,CABLE THREADING APPARATUS Original FiledMarch 21, 1961 5 sheet hs 1 JAMES OLESON ATTORNEY June 22, 1965 J. F.OLESON 3,190,616

CABLE THREADING APPARATUS Original Filed March 21. 1961 5 Sheets-Sheet 2INVEN JAMESF. 01. N

ATT'O EY June 22, 1965 J. F. OLESON 3,190,515

CABLE THREADING APPARATUS Original Filed March 21, 1961 5 Sheets-Sheet 3INVEN TOR. JAMES E OLESON AT TORNEY June 1965 J. F. OLESON 90,

CABLE THREADING APPARATUS Original Filed March 21, 1961 5 Sheets-Sheet 4FIG. I3

INVENTOR. JAMES F. OLESON ATTORNEY June 22, 1965 J. F. oLEsoN CABLETHREADING APPARATUS Original F-iled March 21. 1961 5 Sheets -Sheet 5INVENTOR. JAMES F. OLESON ATTORNEY United States Patent Ofiice BdhhfildPatented June 22, lQfiE 3,190,616 QABLE THREABHNG APPARATUS James F.@leson, 412-9 Lincoinhlvd, Venice, Calif. Continuation of appiicationSer. No. 97,385, Mar. 21, 1961. This appiieation Oct. 11, 1563, der. No.316,793 9 Elaims. (Cl. 254134.3)

This application is a continuation of copending application SerialNumber 97,385, filed March 21, 1961, entitled Cable Threading Apparatus,now abandoned.

This invention relates to apparatus for threading or pulling wirebundles, or the like, through a conduit or rigid tubing and moreparticularly, to apparatus readily adaptable to power drive or pull thewire bundle through a conduit wherein the load forces generated aredistributed into the conduit supporting structure.

In the building industry, it is the practice to provide rigid conduit ortubes for bundle of wires or so-called harnesses of electrical wiressuch as cable. It has always been a tedious, time-consuming, andtherefore expensive operation to thread the wire bundles through theconduit or tubing. In many cases the bundles contain a large number ofindividual wires of considerable length, for example from thirty tothree hundred fifty feet long or more which weigh about 3500 lbs. Inorder to facilitate the handling of the wires, the wires are sometimestied together at spaced points throughout their length by cords orstring, this tying operation requiring considerable time and patience. Apull wire or line is usually threaded through the conduit or tubing andone end thereof is then attached to the end of the harness or bundle ofelectrical wires and the pull wire is employed to assist in pulling orthreading the bundle through the tubing. The bundle closely fits thetubing and generally two or three men are needed to laboriously work thebundle through the tubing. In practice, many man hours are expended inslowly working or threading the bundle through the conduit or tubing.

At all times during the process or operation above described, cautionmust be exercised in order to keep the tubing and the bundle or assemblyof wires from kinking. It is often a requirement that the wires fitclosely within the protective tubing and this close fit necessitates theutilization of additional manpower in order to process the wires orcable through the conduit or tubing.

When the cable or wire bundles are manually drawn or threaded throughthe conduit, the load forces generated by the weight of the cable andthe frictional forces encountered between the outer surface of the cableand the inner surface of the conduit are transmitted and distributedthrough the men pulling the cable or harness into the ground or whateversupporting structure they may be standing upon. Likewise, when powerequipment is employed, load forces are similarly distributed through thestructure on which the powering equipment rests. However, when eithermanual means or conventional power equipment is employed, a load forcevector component is derived w ich is generally angular to the directionof the cable pull with the resultant requirement for additional manpoweror increased primary power equipment.

Furthermore, it has been diiiicult to thread or draw cable through aconduit due to the fact that the exposed end of the tube or conduit mayterminate in a relatively confined area such as an electrical terminaljunction box, may project through a roof of a building or project into asubterranean cavity or in many instances, the end of the conduit mayremain flush with a wall of the junction box or other building orterrestrial installation. In those instances where the open end of theconduit is flushed with its supporting structure, it is extremelyditficult to assemble cable threading equipment such that the loadforces encountered when drawing the cable through the conduit will betransferred into the supporting structure for the conduit in a directionsubstantially parallel to the direction of the pull. This problem alsoexists even when a portion of the terminal end of the conduit is exposedand is readily accessible for attachment of power pulling equipment.

Therefore, it has been found highly desirable to provide an apparatusfor power threading cable, wire bundles, harness or the like, through aconduit or rigid tubing and for dispersing the load forces encounteredin the operation of drawing the cable therethrough into the conduitsupporting structure in instances where the terminal opening end of theconduit is'flush with the supporting structure or wherein the terminalend of the conduit projects beyond the supporting structure. When theterminal opening end of the conduit is flush or beneath its supportingstructure, it may be rendered relatively inaccessible because of thesurrounding structure and the need has existed, therefore, for providinga universal cable threading apparatus which will overcome thisdifficulty as well as the other above mentioned ditliculties.

In accordance with the present invention, a cable threading apparatus isprovided which is readily adaptable to engage the projected or extendedconduit terminal end so that as the cable is drawn through the conduit,the load forces encountered are distributed through the conduit to itssupporting structure. The present invention also provides an adapterwhich is readily mountable in a conventional junction box in instanceswhere the opening of the conduit is relatively flushed and notaccessible for direct contact or attachment of the apparatus so that theload forces encountered in drawing the cable through the conduit will bedistributed through the terminal box and into its supporting structure,The adapter may also be extended or retracted to fit various sizeterminal boxes. Such an adapter is susceptible for independent use as alifting device for raising and lowering articles above a supportingsurface.

Another feature of the present invention resides in the fact that theadapter includes means for maintaining a straight line alignment betweenthe cable drawing apparatus and the conduit so that the pull wire orline to which the cable is attached will not rub or encounter therelatively rough edges of the terminal end of the conduit.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a universalcable threading apparatus which is of unitary design and which may bereadily positioned and coupled to a conduit which may terminate througha roof of a building in a vertical direction, project from the wall ofthe building in a horizontal direction, or terminate beneath the groundin a subterranean cavity or hole. In all of these examples andapplications, the present invention provides a means readily engageablewith the conduit or its supporting structure for transmitting anddistributing the load forces encountered during the threading operationso that these forces may be dissipated through surrounding supportingstructure.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an operationalmethod and apparatus than can be performed in full by one operatorwithout a great amount of skill or training.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a machinethat is time saving over the process heretofore used. In actualoperation, one man, by employing the apparatus of this invention, mayreadily thread a bundle or assembly of wires through a rigid tube orconduit in approximately two to five minutes whereas, heretofore, two ormore men were required and from one to two hours were needed to manuallyperform the same identical threading operation.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a machine of thekind mentioned that is practical and easy to operate. The machine issimple in its operation and has relatively few points of possiblemalfunction. There are few adjustments necessary in the operation andthose found necessary do not require the exercising of a great amount oftechnical skill or ability.

Still a further object of the present invention is to provide a novelcable threading apparatus which includes a power means for pulling aconsiderable length of cable through a rigid conduit. The power meansincludes a novel clutch mechanism which is readily engaged anddisengaged by a simple manually operated handle.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a novelclamping means for affixing the various assemblies of the cablethreading apparatus onto major support objects such as a conduit throughwhich the cable is being threaded or various extensions and supportmembers of the apparatus itself.

These and other objects will be more readily apparent upon a reading ofthe following description and with reference to the accompanyingdrawings, in which FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a cable threadingapparatus in accordance with the present invention shown in a typicalcable threading or pulling operation in conjunction with an electricalterminal box installed in a building wall;

FIGURE 2 is a perspective view of a portion of the cable threadingapparatus of FIGURE 1 incorporating a modified extension membertherefor;

FIGURE 3 is a sectional view of a capstan assembly including a clutchmechanism employed in the apparatus of FIGURE 1 taken in the directionof arrows 33;

FIGURE 4 is a side elevational view of the cable thread ing apparatus ofFIGURE 1 employed in conjunction with a conduit projecting through abuilding roof;

FIGURE 5 is a side elevational view of a portion of the apparatus ofFIGURE 1 employed in conjunction with a conduit opening downwardly intoa terminal junction box;

FIGURE 6 is an enlarged view of the clamping means for the frictionpulley assembly employed in the apparatus of FIGURES 1 and 4;

FIGURE 7 is a side elevational view, partially in section, of theclamping means shown in FIGURE 6 taken in the direction of arrow 77;

FIGURE 8 is an exploded assembly view of the frictional pulley assembledemployed in FIGURE 6;

FIGURE 9 is an enlarged sectional view of the clutch mechanism in itsengaged position as employed in the capstan assembly taken in thedirection of arrows 99 of FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 10 is an enlarged sectional view of the clutch mechanism in itsdisengaged position as employed in the capstan assembly of FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 11 is a cross-elevational view of an adapter for mounting thefriction pulley and its clamping means to the inside edges of a terminaljunction box when the conduit is flush with a box wall or recessed fromthe box interior;

FIGURE 12 is a sectional view of the friction pulley and its clampingmeans taken in the direction of arrows 1212 of FIGURE 11 andillustrating, in broken lines, its adaptation for vertical angularity;

FIGURE 13 is a top view of the friction pulley and adapter of FIGURE 11taken in the direction of arrows 1313 showing means for adjusting thepulley to provide proper alignment with the conduit opening;

FIGURE 14 is an enlarged sectional view of the adapter and its means forthe extension thereof taken in the direction of arrows 1414 of FIGURE13;

FIGURE 15 is a sectional view of an extension member of fixed lengthsuitable for coupling with the adapter of FIGURE 14 or the elongatedmember of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 16 is a sectional view of the rack and pinion means for extendingand retracting the length of the adapter taken in the direction ofarrows 16-46 of FIGURE 14;

FIGURE 17 is a side elevational view of the adapter of FIGURE 14employed for vertically lifting articles shown mounted in a spring biasdamper illustrated in section;

FIGURE 18 is a side elevational View of the friction pulley and itsclamping means as well as the extension member and its clamping meanscoupled to a conduit so that cable may be drawn horizontallytherethrough;

FIGURE 19 is an exploded assembly view of the clutch mechanism includingthe driving and driven members incorporated in the apparatus of FIGURES1 and 3; and

FIGURE 20 is a side elevational view of the cable threading or pullingapparatus incorporated in an application for drawing cable through aconduit terminating within a subterranean cavity or hole.

With reference to FIGURE 1, a cable threading or pulling apparatus isshown in accordance with the present invention which includes a mobilepower unit 10, a capstan assembly 11 for receiving and winding a pullwire or line 12, clutch mechanism 13 detachably coupling the power unitto the capstan assembly 11, a pull wire or line friction pulley assembly14 connectable to a rigid conduit 15 through which a cable wire orbundle 16 is threaded and a straight thrust extension member 17 rigidlycoupling the capstan assembly to the friction pulley assembly. Theconduit 15 is shown suitably installed in a portion of a wall 18 havingbuilt therein or adapted to receive an electrical terminal junction box20. In the present illustration of FIGURE 1, the extreme terminal end ofthe conduit 15 is free from surrounding supporting structure and it isexposed for ready attachment of the cable threading apparatus.

Power unit 10 includes an electrical motor (not shown) of suitablehorsepower enclosed by a housing 21 having a socket box 22, forreceiving an electrical supply cord and an on/off switch 23. The unit issupported on a movable carriage including wheels 24 and 25 and braces26. Extendable rigid legs, such as leg 27, are detachably connected tothe power unit for supporting the unit in conjunction with the wheelcarriage during operation of the cable threading apparatus.

The capstan assembly 11, as seen more clearly in FIG- URE 3, includes aU-shaped yoke 30 which mounts a pair of bearing carrying fixtures 31 and32. Each fixture carries a pair of roller bearings such as hearing 33for example. A hollow driveshaft 34 is operatively connected to thepower unit and extends from the power unit through a pair of rollerbearings associated with fixture 31. Mounted on the extreme cantileveredend of the driveshaft, there is rotatably carried, a capstan head 35having a winding surface 36 about which the pull wire 12 is wound. A rod37 is inserted through the roller bearings associated with fixture 32and received into the hollow bore of the driveshaft. Thereby, it is seenthat driveshaft 34 rotates within bearings carried by fixture 31 andthat rod 37 rotates within the bearings carried by fixture 32.

The clutch mechanism 13, to be described in more detail later withrespect to FIGURES 9, 10 and 19, is disposed between the fixture 31 andthe inboard end of the capstan head and is employed to impart rotarymovement to the capstan head from the power unit via the driveshaft whenthe clutch is engaged.

A collar 40, FIGURE 3, and its associated pin 41 serve as a stop meansfor the capstan assembly so that the assembly is prevented from slidingon the driveshaft. Pin 41 is received through mated holes in the collar40 and driveshaft 34 so that the collar remains fixed to the driveshaftand rotates therewith. The outboard end of the capstan head abuts a stopnut 43 which is threadably engaged with the outboard end of thedriveshaft 34. In this fashion, the capstan head, clutch mechanism andfixture 31 with its associated bearings are maintained in a fixedposition between stop collar ll and stop nut 43. Rod 37 is maintainedwithin the hollow bore of driveshaft 34 by means of a stop nut 44threadably engaged with the end of rod 37 which when run down thethreaded end of rod 37 abuts fixture 32 and its associated bearings.

As shown in FIGURES 1 and 3, the yoke 30 of the capstan assembly isdetachably secured to one end of rigid extension member 17 by means of asuitable coupling arrangement 45. The opposite end of thrust member 17is provided with a clamping means 46 for detachably coupling member 17to the exposed free end of conduit 115. Although a cable threadingapparatus of the present invention as shown in FIGURES 4 and 5 are for adifferent application than that as shown in FIGURE 1, the details ofconstruction for the clamping means is identical and, therefore,reference is now made to FIGURES 4 and 5 as well as FIGURE 1. The end ofmember 17 opposite to its end carrying coupling 45, is provided with acoupling 47 having attached thereto a V-shaped channel 48 by means of apivot bolt 50, FIGS. 4 and 5, which passes through a pair of flanges 51carried on the V- shaped channel 48 and the coupling 47. Channel 48 isconstructed to receive the conduit within the V-shaped space. Member orchannel 48 is also provided with a pair of guide notches separated bythe V-shaped space to permit a chain 53 to be wrapped around conduit 15so that the conduit is encircled by the chain in conjunction with thechannel section 48. One end of the chain 53 is anchored to the pivotbolt 50 While the opposite end of the chain is attached to a threadedmember 54, as shown in FIGURE 1, which is rotatably anchored in turn ina fixture 55 carried on the channel member 48. Pivotally secured to theopposite end of the rotatable threaded member 54 from its end to whichthe chain is anchored, there is provided a pivotal handle 55', FIG. 1,so that the member may be conveniently rotated in its fixture 55 toeither tighten or loosen the chain about the conduit 15.

A feature of the present invention resides in the fact that the pullwire by which the cable is theaded through the tubing 01' conduit isforcibly pulled or urged in a direction substantially parallel and inalignment with the open end of the conduit so that the pull wire neverscrapes or engages the relatively sharp edges of the end of the conduit.To provide such an advantageous feature, the cable threading apparatusof the present invention includes a pulley as about which the pull wire12 passes. The pulley is rotatably mounted on a yoke-like base 61 whichin turn is attached to a clamping means substantially similar to theclamping means 46. In this instance, a clamping means 62 is providedwhich includes a channel V-shaped member 63 which receives a portion ofmember 17 and a chain 64 which passes around both channel 63 andextension 17 as shown in FIGURES 4, 6 and 7. FIGURE 7 more clearly showsa rotatable handle 65 attached to one end of chain 64. The handle 65 issuitably anchored in a detachable clamp 6-5 cooperating with the channel63. A suitable clamp is employed as shown in the exploded assemblydrawing of FIGURE 8. A link of chain at is provided with a pin es whichwhen chain 64 is suitably tightened about conduit 15 is anchored ornested into a cooperative receptacle 67 carried on the channel 63opposite to the side of the channel carrying clamp as.

Although FIGURE 1 shows the cable threading apparatus of the presentinvention coupled to the conduit 15 which is readily available withrespect to the terminal box 2%) and the wall construction 18 forattachment purposes, it is to be understood that the present inventionmay also be employed when the opening end of the conduit is availableonly in remote or awkward locations such as that shown in FIGURE 4whereby the conduit terminal end I5 projects through a roof 7%. It

is to be noted that in such an application, the member 17 is pivotedwith respect to the clamping means 46 so that the clamping means 62 forthe pulley assembly may be suitably positioned over the open end of theconduit to provide a straight pull parallel to the conduit for the pullwire I2; Furthermore, with respect to FIGURE 5, the adaptability andflexibility of the cable threading apparatus of the present invention isshown whereby the apparatus may be employed for coupling or connectionwith a conduit 15 having its open end terminating downwardly as opposedto the upward termination as shown in FIGURES 1 and 4. For such aninstallation as shown in FIGURE 5, the pulley assembly clamping means 63is fastened in such a manner to member 117 that the pulley wheel oil isbelow the extension member so that the pulley wheel all may properlypermit the parallel alignment with the pull wire 12 respective toconduit 15.

The clutch mechani m 13 as shown in the exploded view of FIGURE 19 ismounted about the driveshaft 34 and may be said to comprise a driveclutch plate 71 arranged to rotate with the shaft 34 which includes aplurality of elongated notches, such as notch 72, which open about theperiphery of the plate 71, and operating means including a pair ofbaflies 73 and 74 having aligned holes 75, an operating mechanism 76disposed between the bullies '73 and 7d, and a driven clutch plate 77secured to the inboard end of the capstan head 35. The driven clutchplate 77 includes a plurality of notches '78 opening to the peripherythereof; however, the notches '73 are not as deep or as far elongated asthe notches '72 provided in plate 71 and the diameter of plate 7'7 isreduced as compared to the diameter of plate '71. The operating meansdisposed between the baihes 73 and 74 includes a handle 89 integrallyformed with a disc 81 which has a plurality of cutout portions, such ascutout S2 in the periphery of the disc. Each cutout portion 82 receivesan end of a pawl, such as pawl 83. The end of pawl 83 which seats in acutout portion is provided with a pivot pin 84 which mates with the hole75 provided in the baffle 73 and '74 respectively. The pins 34 provide apivot pin for the pawls so that the pawls may selectively rotate withinthe confines of the cutout. Each cutout is defined by a flat portion 85on one side of the pawl and a raised shoulder portion 85 on the oppositeside of the pawl. Such an arrangement permits the plurality of pawls torotate towards or away from shaft 34 which in elfect reduces orincreases the diameter of a circular path of travel for the extended orprojecting ends of the pawls. When the handle Elli is rotated in aclockwise direction, its travel is arrested by its abutment with therespective shoulders as shown in FIGURE 10 and the diameter of thecircular path of travel for the projecting end of the pawls isincreased. The opposite end of each pawl from its end rotatably mountedon pin 34, is provided with a clutch pin 87 which extends outwardly onopposite sides of each pawl. When the clutch mechanism of FIGURE 19 isfully assembled, the outwardly projecting end of clutch pin 87 isreceived into one of the notches 72 associated with clutch plate 71 asshown in FIGURE 10. In this manner, clutch plate 71 drives the operatingmechanism at all times when the power motor is operating. However, whenthe lever 8% is moved clockwise from the position as shown in FIGURE 10,the plurality of pawls 83 is pivoted about their mounting pins 8-4 sothat the diameter of a circle formed about the periphery of theprojecting ends of the combined multiplicity of pawls is reduced asshown in FIGURE 9 whereby the projecting end of clutch pin 87 facing thecapstan head is received in notches 73 of the driven clutch plate 77.Upon this occurrence, a direct drive between the driving clutch plate 71and the driven clutch plate '77 is achieved so that the capstan head 35is rotated via the driveshaft 34 by the power unit.

With respect to the clutch mechanism shown in FIG- URES 9 and 10, it isto be noted with respect to FIG- URE 10 that the clutch is shown in itsdisengaged position with the handle 80 rotated counterclockwise so thateach pawl is rotated to rest against its associated shoulder 85. In thisposition, each clutch pin 87 associated with a pawl is removed from therespective notches 78 associated with the driven clutch plate 77 whilethe op posite end of each clutch pin 87 is still interposed within arespective notch 72 associated with the driving plate 71. In thismanner, driven clutch plate 77 and the capstan head are free to rotateon shaft 34 without engagement with the power motor.

When the operating handle 80 is positioned clockwise, the pawls 83 restagainst the fiat portions 82 of the cutouts which causes the clutch pins87 to be drawn into the plurality of notches 78 of the driven clutchplate 77 as shown in FIGURE 9. Thereby, the driving clutch plate 71causes the driven clutch plate 77 to rotate via the engagement of theclutch pins 87 in the respective notches 72 of plate 71 and notches 78of plate 77.

Inasmuch as handle 80 rotates with the capstan assembly shaft, it shouldbe noted that the power driven capstan assembly is operated under thecontrol of the on-off switch 23 which must be turned off when it isdesired to actuate the clutch mechanism to either position of engagementor disengagement. When so desired, it is only necessary to switch thedriving unit or motor off so that all rotation of the capstan assemblyas well as handle 80 ceases. Once the power to the motor, and therebythe capstan assembly, has terminated, handle 80 may be readily andmanually actuated to perform its intended function of clutch engagementor disengagement.

During disengagement, the capstan assembly may be freely rotated onshaft 34 without being loaded by the non-operating motor. Such aprovision permits the line 12 to be drawn or let out manually with theidling capstan unpowered.

With reference to FIGURE 11 an adapter in the general direction of arrow90 is provided in conjunction with cable threading apparatus of thepresent invention for use in situations where the conduit or protectivetubing for the wire bundle is not readily accessible for attachment bythe clamping means associated with the end member 17. Such a situationis shown in FIGURE 11 wherein a conduit 91 terminates in the side wallof a terminal box 92 installed in a wall 93.

The electrical terminal junction box 92 as shown in FIGURES 11 and 13 issuitably installed within the building wall structure 93. The box isreceived within a mounting recess 94 and the vertical walls of the boxare suitably supported adjacent structural member 95 included in thewall construction. The adapter 90 is disposed within the box and isprovided on its extreme opposite ends with a pad assembly, such asassembly 96 which engaged with the edge marginal region 97 of the Wallbox. Each pad assembly is threadably engageable with one end of theadapter. The adapter includes a cylindrical body 98 which houses atelescoping member 100 and actuating means therefor for selectivelymoving the member in and out of the body so that the overall length ofthe adapter may be readily adjusted.

With respect to FIGURE 14, the interior of body 98 is shown whichincludes the member 100 fully drawn within the body as shown in solidlines and partially extended or telescoping from the body 98 as shown inbroken lines. The means for advancing or retracting the member 100 toand from the body 98 includes a rack 101 having a plurality of inwardlyfacing teeth, such as tooth 102 which are arranged to mesh with theteeth of a pinion gear 103. The rack 101 is arranged to slide back andforth within the hollow body 98 responsive to rotation of the piniongear 103. Pinion gear 103 is rotated manually by a handle 104. Aretention and release mechanism indicated in the general direction ofarrow 105 functions to permit or prohibit rotation of pinion 103 so thatthe rack and pinion may selectively position member 100 to apredetermined extended position and when this extended position has beenreached, the retention means may be actuated to prevent rotation ofpinion 103 so that member 100 is maintained and retained in the extendedposition. Such a means includes a finger 107 having a projecting tooth108 engageable with the teeth of the pinion gear. The finger isprojected through a hole or aperture 110 in the body and is fixed to asliding member 111.

, Sliding member 111 is spring biased by compression spring 112 to urgethe sliding member to the right so that tooth engages or meshes with theteeth of pinion gear 103. However, a plunger member 113 passing throughthe coil spring 112 and the sliding member 111 may be urged to the leftagainst the spring tension of spring 112 so that an enlarged end portion114 on the plunger will pull the sliding member 111 against the springtension and remove the tooth 108 from engagement with the pinion gear103. The plunger may be rotated to either the left or right so that abent extension 115 may be engaged with the outside portion of a housing116 which retains the sliding member in a position to permit completeand free rotation of pinion 103. A notch 119 in the housing near theextension 115 is provided so that the spring tension of spring 112 willurge the plunger and the sliding member to the right. Upon thishappening, the extension member 115 will be received within the notch orslot in the housing and the tooth 108 will be retained in meshedengagement with pinion gear 103 by virtue of the expansion of thecompressed spring 112 against the sliding member 111 and the plunger113.

FIGURES 11 and 13 also show a means for properly aligning the directionof pull for the pull wire 12 with respect to the opening of conduit 91.In some installations, the opening for the conduit is located at aposition which is fairly deep within the terminal box and some meansmust be employed for compensating for the increased distance between theouter edge of the box to which the adapter is engaged and the opening ofthe conduit through which the pole wire 12 will be drawn. Such a meansin the present invention for achieving this objective includes a basemember 120 which mounts the pulley 60 so that the pulley will be pivotedabout a connecting pivot bolt arrangement 121. On the end of base 120opposite to its end which pivots about bolt 121, there is provided afan-like member 122 having a plurality of holes, such as hole 123provided therein for receiving a fastener 124. Bolts 121 and fastener124 serve to mount a bracket 125 onto the base 110. Bracket 125 pivotsabout bolt 121 and has attached in the center thereof a fastener 126which carries the pulley 60. Fastener 126 projects through an elongatednotch 127 in a bracket 128 so that as bracket 125 is pivoted aboutfastener 121, the pulley 60 is carried therewith. Upon the properpositioning of reel 60 with respect to the conduit opening, as shown inbroken lines in FIGURE 13, fastener 124 may be tightened to fixedbracket 125 by virtue of its mounting fasteners. It is noted that thepower unit and the capstan assembly are connected to the adapter bymeans of member 17 and its attachment to bracket 128.

The coupling between the end of member 17 with the adapter 90 is shownmore clearly in FIGURE 12 which shows the fastener 126 about whichpulley 60 rotates as being carried on a V-shaped channel member 130.Memher 130 receives the body 98 of the adapter and by means of aflexible chain 131 the member 130 is clamped to the adapter. The pulley60 over which the pull wire travels can be elevated by loosening thechain 131 and positioning member 17 as shown in broken lines so that thepulley elevates its extreme end about which the pull wire 12 travels.

Thus, by employing the adapter as shown in FIGURES 11-14, the adaptermay be selectively extended to fit any substantially parallel supportingmembers, such as the edges of the terminal junction box, and any loadforces encountered in drawing the cable through the conduit will 9 bedistributed into the supporting structure. Furthermore, the apparatus isflexible and adaptable to operate regardless of the location of theconduit opening since the pulley 69 over which pole wire 12 travels canbe adjusted for height as shown in FIGURE 12 or can be adjusted fordepth as shown in FIGURE 13.

With respect to FIGURE 15, an extension member is shown which may bereadily coupled to one end of the adapter 91). The extension includes acylindrical tube 131 which is threaded externally on its opposite endsso that a pad assembly 96 may be threaded on one end while its oppositeend is engaged with the end of the adapter body 98 by means of aconnecting collar 132. Such an arrangement is also shown in the FIGURE 2in connection with extending the rigid member 17.

FIGURE 16 is a cross-sectional view of the adapter showing the handle194 for actuating the pinion gear 1123 into the rectilinear movement ofrack 1131.

FIGURE 17 shows another application and usage for the adapter as shownin FIGURE 14 whereby the adapter 941 is received into a holder 135 whichis suitably supported on a platform or the ground 135. Within the holder135, there is provided a spring shock absorbing or damping means 137 onwhich the adapter 90 rests. It is to be noted that handwheel 138replaces the manual handle 134 and is employed for advancing andretracting the member MP1 from the main body 93 of the adapter.

In place of the pad assembly 96 which is carried on the end of themember 1191 the adapter has attached thereto a carrier 140 whichsupports a variety of articles to be lifted. In the presentillustration, carrier 14% is shown lifting a fluorescent fixture withlight tubes attached. As shown in solid lines, the lifting apparatus isin its lowered or loading position and as shown in broken lines, theapparatus is elevated with its load. It should be noted that either endof the adapter may be received by holder 135 with its opposite endcarrying the load.

With reference to FIGURE 18, another application of the present cablethreading apparatus is shown whereby a conduit 141 is in a horizontalposition with its opening end jutting or projecting past the frontsurface of a wall 142. Furthermore, conduit 141 is considerably elevatedabove the platform or supporting structure on which the power unit andthe capstan assembly are mounted so that member 17 is at a considerableangle with respect to the conduit 141. However, clamping means 46 may bereadily adjusted so that it is fastened about conduit 141 by means ofchain 53. In order to properly align the pulley so with respect to theopening of conduit 14 so that pull wire 12 will not scrape or engage theedges thereof, clamping means 62 for the assembly 14 is properlyadjusted to clamp about member 17 to provide correct alignment for thepull wire 12. Chain 64 is tightened for the clamping means 62 so thatthe pulley 61B is retained in position on member 17.

With respect to the application of the present invention as shown in theFIGURE 20, it is to be noted that the conduit through which the cable isto be drawn is a subterranean conduit 145 opening into a subterraneancavity 146 such as a manhole below street pavement. In this application,it is noted that the cable threading apparatus as shown in FIGURE 1 isemployed with the pulley oil suspended below the bar or member 17.However, since member 17 cannot be readily clamped to the end of conduit145, a supplemental member 14-7 is employed to which clamping mean 46 issecured. Member 147 projects into the subterranean cavity and hascoupled thereto the clamping 111 is adjustable, pulley 148 may bestationed in any convenient location on supplemental member 147.

FIGURE 1 further illustrates a suitable means for attaching the free endof pull wire 12 to the wire bundle or cabling 115. Such a means includesa head 150 attached to the end of the pull wire by suitable means andwherein the head 15% includes attachment to a hollow webbing ofinterwoven metal or cloth strips 151. The end of the cable to be drawnthrough the conduit is inserted into the cylindrical interlaced webbingand the webbing is then pulled or elongated so that it is caused toshrink about the end of the cabling. In this manner, the more tension orpull that is applied to the webbing 151 will serve only to tighten thewebbing about the cabling so that the cabling cannot become detachedfrom the pull wire 12 even under conditions of extreme tension and pull.

An actual typical operation of the present invention will be describedwith respect to the cable threading apparatus shown in FIGURE 1. Thepower unit is properly disposed a convenient distance from the conduit15 through which the wire bundles or cable 16 is to be drawn. The powerunit is made immobile by the attachment of legs 27 so that the powerunit is adequately supported on its supporting structure such as thepavement or ground. Member 17 is coupled via coupling 45 to the capstanassembly 11 and its opposite end is elevated so that the friction pulleyassembly 14 in proper alignment with the opening of the conduit 15.Clamping means 47 is tightened so that the chain of the clamping meansfastens the free end of member 17 to the conduit adjacent the terminalend thereof. In the event pulley wheel 60 is not in proper alignmentwith the opening of the conduit, clamping means 62 may be adjusted andthe assembly slid on member 17 until properly aligned so that the pullwire 12 will not scrape the edges of the conduit.

After the pull wire 12 has been suitably threaded through the conduit,its free end carrying the webbing 151 is slipped over the end of thecable to be pulled and elongated so that the webbing shrinks about theend of the wire bundle or cable to provide a firm grip thereon. The pullwire 12 is trained over pulley wheel 61 and is wound about the capstanhead of the capstan assembly 11. The opposite end of the pull wire ismanually gripped and a manual tension is applied to the pull wire.

At this time, handle 811 of the clutch mechanism may be actuated intoits position as shown in FIGURE 9 so that the driving plate 71 and thedriven plate 77 attached to the capstan head are in engagement via theclutch pins 87. The electrical switch 23 may now be turned to its Onposition so that the motor of the power unit may be supplied with energyand started. Power from the motor is supplied to the capstan head viathe driveshaft 34 and the clutch mechanism so that the capstan headrotates in accordance with the applied power. The pull wire 12 isloosely wrapped about the capstan head and depending upon the amount ofmanual tension applied thereto, is caused to wind about the capstanhead. As the winding occurs, the pull wire is pulled from the capstanhead so that the rotary movement of the capstan head is used toprimarily draw or pull the pull wire through the conduit while themanual tension applied to pull wire 12 augments or controls the tensionapplied to pull wire 12.

All of the loading forces derived from friction between the cable orwire bundle and the inside surface of the conduit 15 as well as theweight of the cable or wire bundle is distributed and dissipated throughthe extension member 17 and the clamping means 46 to the conduit per seand into the supporting structure for the conduit. It is also to beobserved that at all times, the straight and direct pull by the pullwire 12 is exerted on the cable being threaded through the conduit sothat the edges of the conduit do not come into contact with the pullline.

Should it become advisable for the apparatus operator to momentarilystop the threading operation, all that is required is for the operatorto loosen his hold or tension on the pull line 12 so that the capstanhead will slip through the wound turns of pull wire about the capstanhead. When the operator desires to continue the operation, his grip orhold applies greater tension to the pull wire 12 and the wire comes intogripping contact with the capstan head and is caused to wind about thehead.

If the operator decides to manually draw the cable through the conduit,the motor and power unit It) may be turned Off and the clutch mechanismmay be actuated to its disengaged position.

In addition to the showing of an extension 131 in FIGURE 2, the capstanhead has been removed from the assembly and replaced with a line or wirestorage reel 155 about which the pull line may accumulate and wrap forstorage.

Therefore, it can be seen from the above detailed description that thecable threading apparatus of the present invention provides a uniquepowered apparatus for the threading of cable through a conduit which isconstructed of relatively few parts, extremely flexible to be used in avariety of applications, and which is easy to service and maintain aswell as to adjustment for maximum efiiciency and operation. The subjectinvention is extremely flexible and is universal in its design so that aplurality of attachments and adapters may be readily combined with thebasic design or configuration to more readily expand the usefulness andefficiency of the threading apparatus. It is apparent that the presentinvention provides a cable threading apparatus which can be easilyattached and operated by an average person without the use ofcomplicated tools of any kind since the clamping means and the actuationof the clutch mechanism can be achieved with the simplest of handoperations. Various modifications may be contemplated by those skilledin the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the inventionhereinafter defined in the appended claims.

Iclaim:

1. Apparatus for threading a bunched group of wires through a rigidconduit comprising;

a pull line engaged in gripping relationship with one end of the groupof wires for aligning the wires in substantially parallel relationship;

a power unit;

a capstan assembly for receiving and winding said pull line whereby thegroup of wires is threaded through the conduit;

a driving connection between said power units and capstan assembly,

rigid, non-flexing mounting means including a straight thrust memberfirmly uniting said capstan assembly to the end of the conduit throughwhich generated load forces are transmitted from the capstan assembly tothe conduit;

a pulley assembly carried on the end of said mounting means immediatelyadjacent to the conduit end for directing said line rectilinearly fromsaid capstan assembly into and out of the conduit without the line orgroup of wires contacting the end of the conduit and said line beingsubstantially parallel to the thrust member,

the path of generated load force transmission to the conduit via saidmounting means being substantially parallel to said pull line extendingbetween said pulley assembly and said capstan assembly.

2. Apparatus of the character described for threading cable through arigid tube supported in adjacent structure comprising:

a pull line engaged in gripping relationship to the group of wires;

21 power unit;

a capstan assembly for drawing and winding said pull 12 line whereby thegroup of wires is threaded through the tube;

clutch mechanism operably coupled between said capstan assembly and saidpower unit for selectively supplying driving power to said capstanassembly;

a rigid, non-flexing mounting means including a straight line thrustmember detachably and angularly adjustably connecting said capstanassembly to the extreme end of the tube for distributing load forces inthe thrust member, produced in the threading operation, into the tubesupporting structure;

a pulley assembly carried on the end of said mounting mounting meansimmediately adjacent to the tube end for directing said pull line fromsaid capstan assembly into and out of the tube without the line or groupof wires contacting the end of the conduit; and said line beingsubstantially parallel to the thrust member;

a path of generated load force transmission to the tube via saidmounting means being substantially parallel to said line extendingbetween said pulley assembly and said capstan assembly.

3. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein the mounting meansincludes detachable clamping means coupling the mounting means to anexposed end portion of the conduit.

4. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein the mounting meansincludes an adapter mounted on the conduit and detachable clamping meanscoupling the mounting means to the adapter and normal thereto.

5. Apparatus for threading a bunched group of wires through a rigidconduit comprising:

a pull wire engaged in gripping relationship with one end of the groupof wires for aligning the wires in substantially parallel relationship;

a power unit;

a capstan assembly for receiving and winding said pull wire whereby thegroup of wires is threaded through the conduit;

clutch mechanism disposed between said capstan assembly and said powerunit for selectively supplying driving power to the capstan assembly;

a rectilinear rigid thrust member including angularly adjustableclamping means for detachably coupling said capstan assembly to theextreme end of the conduit through which generated load forces aretransmitted to the conduit; and

a pulley having an axis of rotation parallel to the capstan assemblyaxis of rotation mounted on said rigid member immediately adjacent theconduit end over which said pull wire travels from the conduit to saidcapstan assembly, said pull wire being substantially parallel to thethrust member whereby the path of generated load forces transmittedthrough said rigid member is substantially parallel to said lineextending between said pulley and said capstan assembly.

6. Apparatus of the character described for threading cable through arigid conduit support in adjacent structure comprising:

a pull Wire engaged in gripping relationship with the group of wires;

a capstan assembly for powered or manual drawing and winding of saidpull wire whereby the group of wires is threaded through the conduit;

a power unit operably coupled to said capstan assembly;

a rectilinear rigid thrust member including angularly adjustableclamping means for coupling the capstan assembly to the end of theconduit for distributing load forces produced in the threading operationinto the conduit supporting structure via the conduit; and

a pulley mounted on said rigid thrust member adjacent the conduit overwhich said pull wire travels from the conduit to said capstan assembly,said pull wire 13 being susbtantially parallel to the thrust memberwhereby the path of generated load forces transmitted through said rigidmember is substantially parallel to said line extending between saidpulley and said capstan assembly. 7. Apparatus of the characterdescribed for threading a group of wires through a conduit installed inadjacent surrounding supporting structure comprising:

a pull wire engaged in gripping relation-ship with the group of wires;

a capstan assembly for powered or manual drawing and winding of saidpull wire whereby the group of wires is threaded through the conduit;

said pull wire loosely engaged with said capstan assembly to permitmanually controlled slippage of said pull wire about said capstanassembly;

a movable power unit for supplying driving power to said capstanassembly;

clutch mechanism operably coupled between said capstan assembly and saidpower unit for selectively supplying driving power to the capstanassembly;

and an elongated rigid member connected to said capstan assembly andhaving a coupling for rigid connection with the conduit, said memberreacting between the conduit and the capstan for distributing loadforces produced in the threading operation onto the conduit.

8. Apparatus for threading a bunched group of wires through a rigidconduit comprising;

a pull wire engaged in gripping relationship with one end of the groupof wires for aligning the wires in substantially parallel relationship;

a power unit;

a capstan assembly for receiving and winding said pull wire whereby thegroup of wire-s is threaded through the conduit;

clutch mechanism disposed between said capstan assembly and said powerunit for selectively supplying driving power to the capstan assembly;

a rectilinear rigid thrust member including pivotal clamping means fordetachably coupling said capstan assembly to the extreme end of theconduit through which generated load forces are transmitted to theconduit;

clamp means removably carried on said rigid member;

a pulley having an axis of rotation parallel to the capstan assemblyaxis of rotation and mounted on said clamp means immediately adjacentthe conduit and of a diameter to position the pull wire between thepulley and the conduit centrally of the conduit end over which said pullwire travels from the conduit to said capstan assembly said pull wirebeing substantially parallel to the thrust member; and

the path of generated load forces transmitted through said rigid memberbeing substantially parallel to said line extending between said pulleyand said capstan assembly.

9. Apparatus for threading a bunched group of wires through a rigidconduit comprising;

a pull wire engaged in gripping relationship with one end of the groupof wires for aligning the wires in substantially parallel relationshi apower unit;

a capstan assembly for receiving and winding said pull wire whereby thegroup of wires is threaded through the conduit;

clutch mechanism disposed between said capstan assembly and said powerunit for selectively supplying driving power to the capstan assembly;

a rigid elongated thrust member for coupling said capstan assembly tothe extreme end of the conduit through which generated load forces aretransmitted to the conduit;

clamping means pivotally secured on the end of said thrust memberdetachably connecting said thrust member .to the conduit, said clampingmeans including a V-shaped receiver engageable with the conduit and aflexible strap adapted to be drawn about the conduit and secured to saidreceiver to fix said clamping means to the end of the conduit;

and a pulley having an axis of rotation parallel to said capstanassembly aXis of rotation and detachably mounted on the end of saidrigid member immediately adjacent the conduit end over which said pullwire travels from the conduit to said capstan assembly, the path ofgenerated load forces transmitted through said rigid member beingparallel to said pull line extending between said pulley and saidcapstan assembly.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,221,903 11/40Abramson et al 254-134.3 2,286,781 6/42 Abramson et al.

2,729,424 1/56 Eppenste-iner.

3,072,382 1/63 Jones 254-134.3 3,072,383 1/63 Vanderhagen 2S4134.3

WILLIAM FELDMAN, Primary Examiner.

MILTON s. MEHR, Examiner.

1. APPARATUS FOR THREADING A BUNCHED GROUP OF WIRES THROUGH A RIGIDCONDUIT COMPRISING: A PULL LINE ENGAGED IN GRIPPING RELATIONSHIP WITHONE END OF THE GROUP OF WIRES FOR ALIGNING THE WIRES IN SUBSTANTIALLYPARALLEL RELATIONSHIP; A POWER UNIT; A CAPSTAN ASSEMBLY FOR RECEIVINGAND WINDING SAID PULL LINE WHEREBY THE GROUP OF WIRES IS THREADEDTHROUGH THE CONDUIT; A DRIVING CONNECTION BETWEEN SAID POWER UNITS ANDCAPSTAN ASSEMBLY, RIGID, NON-FLEXING MOUNTING MEANS INCLUDING A STRAIGHTTHRUST MEMBER FIRMLY UNITING SAID CAPSTAN ASSEMBLY TO THE ENDOF THECONDUIT THROUGH WHICH GENERATED LOAD FORCES ARE TRANSMITTED FROM THECAPSTAN ASSEMBLY TO THE CONDUIT; A PULLEY ASSEMBLY CARRIED ON THE END OFSAID MOUNTING MEANS IMMEDIATELY ADJACENT TO THE CONDUIT END FORDIRECTING SAID LINE RECTILINEARLY FROM SAID CAPSTAN ASSEMBLY INTO ANDOUT OF THE CONDUIT WITHOUT THE LINE OR GROUP OF WIRES CONTACTING THE ENDOF THE CONDUIT AND SAID LINE BEING SUBSTANTIALLY PARALLEL TO THE THRUSTMEMBER, THE PATH OF GENERATED LOAD FORCE TRANSMISSION TO THE CONDUIT VIASAID MOUNTING MEANS BEING SUBSTANTIALLY PARALLEL TO SAID PULL LINEEXTENDING BETWEEN SAID PULLEY ASSEMBLY AND SAID CAPSTAN ASSEMBLY.